Moving out? Here are all the steps you need to know.
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December 15, 2020
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Last update on July 11, 2024
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8 min.
A move cannot be improvised. To help you best organize this major life stage, we have prepared a guide for you with all the steps to take when it comes to moving. As a bonus, you can download a checklist to make sure you don’t forget anything!
Moving house is a milestone. Between the excitement of having a new home and the stress of boxes and change, it’s not always easy to think of everything. Fortunately, Energyprice.be is here for you and has put together a checklist so you leave nothing to chance. Whether it is the organization of your boxes or the management of your energy contracts, including the redirecting of your mail, this guide has a list of all the little things to remember for a hassle-free move!
A move necessarily involves packing your belongings in boxes and coordinating their transport to your new address. However, watch out for poor organization!
Think about transport…
First, take an inventory of your things, then make a decision: will you go through a moving company or take care of everything yourself? Depending on what you decide, you will need to hire services or vehicles that are appropriate for the situation. Do not forget to in front of both your old and new property with the relevant municipalities. Also, book a professional hoist or a moving lift if needed. To avoid unnecessary stress, start taking these steps about three months in advance. Also, take out insurance if you feel it is necessary.
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reserve a parking space
… and arrange your things in boxes like a pro!
Then, remember to get all the material you will need early enough (about a month before your move): cardboard boxes, tape, twine, bubble wrap, etc. A word of advice: when the time comes to empty your old home, don’t make the mistake of overloading your boxes. Avoid that they become too heavy to carry. Also, optimize the filling of your boxes by putting in heavy and/or bulky objects first and then filling the remaining space with lighter objects. As for the things you want to get rid of, if they are still in good condition, consider donating them to charities.
Finally, it goes without saying that it is in your interest to number your boxes so as not to get them mixed up. However, avoid writing directly on them what they contain, so as not to tempt potential thieves on moving day.
What to do with your energy contracts?
This is an aspect that is sometimes overlooked, and yet managing your energy contracts deserves as much attention as your boxes. In fact, a move is the perfect opportunity to take stock of your electricity and gas prices. Are you paying more for your energy than the market average? Will you need the same type of contract in your new home? Do you want to keep the same supplier? If so, does it serve your area?
Find a tailor-made contract with minimum effort
If you don’t have enough time to go over all these things, rest assured, Energyprice.becan assist you free of charge. You can contact one of our energy experts to go over with you the relevance of your current contract for your new home. Then, if you wish, they will take care of changing your contract to the best price plan for you. This will allow you to considerably reduce your research and administrative formalities. You can therefore delegate to us the task of taking out your new contract and terminating the old one, with complete peace of mind.
Contact one of our advisers
If, however, you would prefer to keep the same contract with the same supplier, you can simply fill out a form on the supplier’s site to notify them of your upcoming move.
The energy transfer document: a very useful form
Choosing an electricity or gas contract for your new home is one thing, but you also need to terminate the energy supply to your old home. To do this, you must read your meter on the day of your departure and send the reading to your supplier and your system operator (DSO). This procedure allows you to accurately identify the amount of energy you consumed before leaving your old property for good.
In order to formalize all this with the next occupant of the premises, it is in your best interest to complete with them an “energy transfer document”. This document includes the reading taken and allows both parties to “validate” it. This will avoid any possible billing disputes. For example, if by some chance the new occupant had not taken over the energy contracts in their name, you would not end up being billed in their place!
In the same way, we strongly advise you to also check the meter at your new property as soon as you receive the keys, and to complete another energy transfer document with the person who used to live there. You can then send this document to your new supplier for them to calculate your next advance payments.
Like your energy contracts, you will need to decide what to do with your internet, telephone and/or television subscriptions.
Operators usually allow you to transfer your subscriptions to your new home. However, you could also take the opportunity to look at what other operators are offering. If you spot plans that are better suited to your consumption habits and more financially attractive, it may be worthwhile to switch operators.
Change of address: which institutions to notify in this case?
The list may be long, so we strongly advise you to put everything in writing and to proceed methodically.
First of all, there are financial (banks, insurance, mutual) and public institutions (ONEM (national employment office), FOREM (Walloon public employment and training service), CPAS (public center for social assistance), etc.).
Then, remember to notify the various services you frequently use (the post office, your doctor, the hospital, the gym, etc.). Note that the post office can take care of redirecting your mail to your new address if you so request.
In the process, do not forget to also notify the various daily newspapers or magazines to which you are subscribed. This also applies to any charities to which you make regular donations. Tip: go through any bills or letters you and your family have received in the past six months, and see if you’ve thought to notify everyone.
Likewise, you will need to inform your employer of your impending change of address (and even your former employers, if you have recently changed jobs). Likewise, if you have children, notify their school office right away. This is all the more important if you plan on changing schools.
Are you a tenant? Cancel your lease at least three months in advance by sending a registered letter to your landlord.
Finally, once you have moved, you will need to be resident in your new municipality to officially record your change of address on your identity papers. It might be prudent to also notify your former municipality, especially if you have not yet received your tax return for the year.
Other formalities?
You not only need to take into account the administrative procedures but also all other “informalities“.
Moving without someone’s help is not easy, so don’t hesitate to ask your friends and family for a helping hand on the day! However, make sure you don’t tell them the day before. Moreover, this recommendation also applies to telling your employer about possibly taking a day off.
So plan ahead for the move at least a few weeks in advance. With this in mind, don’t forget that you will have to empty your freezer and fridge and dispose of your large waste at the waste collection center before the move-in date. Also plan a major clean of your new home before unloading your boxes. In addition, prepare easy snacks for everyone that day, plus a bag with essentials for your first night.
Finally, take a final tour of the property before leaving: are all the rooms empty? Are the doors and windows closed properly? Did you remove your name from the mailbox?
Checklist summary: don’t forget any steps!
Are you afraid of forgetting a step or procedure? Do you want a summary in chronological order? You’re in luck because Energyprice.be has included all the steps in a practical checklist that you can keep with you throughout your move.
If you have any questions, especially regarding your energy contracts, our team is here to help you. You can count on us to simplify the administrative procedures of your energy contracts during your move! Call 0800 37 456 (free toll number) from Monday to Friday, 9 am to 6 pm.
